OSHA regulation of ergonomic health

The occupational illnesses most frequently reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are "disorders associated with repeated trauma," a category including noise-induced hearing loss and illnesses caused by ergonomic exposure. In response, OSHA has begun "rule-making" for a standard to control ergonomic exposures. This paper defines ergonomic illness as any diagnosis of gradual onset for which ergonomic exposure increases relative risk. The "Red Meat Guidelines," the model for OSHA's proposed "Ergonomic Safety and Health Program standard," are critically reviewed in terms of basic clinical and epidemiologic concepts. The OSHA 200 log is a cohort study which reaches its entire target population. The use of selected case definitions with the OSHA 200 log is recommended as a powerful, comparable, and cost-effective epidemiologic basis for ergonomic regulation.